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A learning disability affects the way a person understands information and how they communicate. People with learning disabilities can have difficulty understanding new or complex information, learning new skills and coping independently.  

A learning disability can be mild, moderate or severe. Some people with a mild learning disability can talk easily and look after themselves but may need a bit longer than usual to learn new skills. Other people may not be able to communicate at all and have other disabilities as well. 

Children and young people with a learning disability may also have special educational needs (SEN).  

Support for learning disabilities and family carers 

Some learning disabilities are diagnosed at birth, such as Down’s syndrome. Others might not be discovered until the child is old enough to talk or walk. 

Once your child is diagnosed with a learning disability, your GP can refer you for any specialist support you may need. 

You’ll begin to get to know the team of professionals who will be involved in your or your child’s care. 

The right support from professionals – such as GPs, paediatricians (doctors who specialise in treating children), speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, educational and clinical psychologists and social care – helps people with a learning disability live as full and independent a life as possible. 

This article was adapted from Learning disabilities – NHS (www.nhs.uk)